Students with the School of Dental Medicine American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Community Service Committee teamed up with a non-profit organization in Hartford, KNOX, to help clean up community gardens in Hartford.

Nearly 30 dental and medical students from a variety of class years helped pull weeds, pruned vines, and cleared and tilled soil.

“The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to have fun,” said Brett Bracco, second-year dental students and community service chair for the ASDA Community Service Committee. “It was a joy to give back and help out an organization like Knox that does so much for Hartford!”

KNOX currently oversees 20 community gardens that serve more than 300 local families. The organization also provides hands-on experiences for Hartford Youth through their environmental education programs, and donates excess produce to local food pantries in Hartford.

The ASDA Community Service Committee works to organize activities and events that provide UConn students with opportunities to serve the community. This year, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the student organizers have been able to host safe volunteer opportunities such as the service day with KNOX.

“During this last year, our biggest challenge was trying to organize events and activities for UConn students that also abide to COVID safety protocols both within and outside of school,” said Bracco. “Despite such challenges, we have adapted to find COVID friendly ways for students to serve the community, leading to a successful year!”